Research colleges and visit campuses by the junior year of high school at the latest, said Shawn Thomas, director of admission at West Texas A&M University.

Obtain applications - note whether your college choices accept paper or only online applications - and carefully fill them out. In Texas, public colleges and universities accept the Texas Common Application, which may be completed online.

Others like Trinity University in San Antonio use the Common Application, which is used by about 300 public and private schools in the U.S.

Always remember that deadlines matter, Thomas said. "Students that meet those deadlines have better opportunities for financial aid, scholarships. ... If a student wants a certain residence hall, the earlier they submit the application and deposit, the more likely they are to get first choice," he said.

Sign up for the Scholastic Aptitude Test or American College Test because most colleges consider one of these scores for admission.

Order high school transcripts and Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills scores from your high school counselor.